About the High School Huddle

Welcome to the Citizen-Times' constantly-updated blog for Western North Carolina high school sports. Features include breaking news, scores and stats, college recruiting updates and live blogs from some of the marquee games in WNC. Readers are encouraged to comment on posts, but personal attacks on current athletes, coaches and their families will not be tolerated and are subject to edit or removal at the moderator's discretion.

Swain High School’s Neil Blankenship has stepped down as women’s basketball coach. Blankenship just completed his 17th year at the helm of the women’s program where he compiled a 170-220 overall record. He directed the Lady Devils to 10 10 win seasons during his 17 years. He was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Coach of the Year in 1998-99 as he directed the Lady Devils to an 18-8 overall record and a Smoky Mountain Conference Championship.

“It’s just time,” he stated just after announcing he would not return for an 18th season. “It has been a wonderful experience, being able to work with the outstanding young ladies that I was able too over these years. But after 17 years it is time for me to move on.”

While no timeframe has been set the search for Blankenship’s replacement will begin immediately. “Coach Blankenship’s commitment, dedication, and passion in coaching our women’s basketball program will be sorely missed. He did a tremendous job,” added long time Swain High Athletic Director Frank Maennle, “I think it is nice that he is able to step away from it under his own terms.”

Reynolds quarterback Caleb Pressley will play college football for North Carolina.

Here is the most up-to-date list of Western North Carolina athletes who have committed to play college sports. Coaches, parents and athletes, if you know of anyone not listed, please contact me at apearson@citizen-times.com or call 232-5863.

Travelling can be one of the great pains associated with postseason basketball.

So far, Erwin hasn’t had to leave its gym.

A week after hosting the Mountain Athletic Conference 3-A tournament, the Warriors return home tonight for NCHSAA playoff games against Shelby Crest.

The girls game begins at 6 p.m. followed by the boys.

Erwin’s girls (19-5) will be going for back-to-back sectional championships, while the boys (21-3) are one of the most improved teams in Western North Carolina this season – their amount of losses match their number of wins from a year ago.

The Warriors swept the MAC 3-A regular-season and tournament championships in boys and girls play.

Shakira Allen had a team-high 25 points in Friday’s 91-85 win over Asheville High, while Trey Clark led the boys to a 78-52 victory against Enka with 16 points.

Erwin is the only Buncombe County school to host both boys and girls playoff games tonight.